Canary Islands: Introduction

Located just off the north-west coast of Africa, the Canary Islands have been enchanting and inspiring visitors from across the world for centuries. Boasting year-round warm weather and a wealth of incredible variety, the Canary Islands are uniquely placed to offer a different kind of holiday. Better still, there are plenty of cheap flights to the Canary Islands available.

From the dramatic volcanic landscape of Lanzarote to the feisty nightlife of Tenerife, the archipelago has something for everyone, all topped off with a healthy dose of Spanish culture.

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Why choose the Canary Islands?

The archipelago is home to some of the finest beaches and seafront resorts accessible to Europe - but the islands also contain expanses of unique, breathtaking scenery that you are unlikely to see anywhere else on earth. Lunar-looking stretches of volcanic terrain suddenly merge into lush, green forests, giving some parts of the Canaries the feel of a prehistoric paradise just waiting to be explored. Add to this the fact that the weather stays warm all year round and you have the makings of the perfect holiday all in one.

Whether you are looking for the relative peace of Fuerteventura or the more familiar holiday hustle of Tenerife, you are sure to find the perfect place to enjoy yourself. The travel infrastructure between the seven islands has greatly improved in recent years with regular sea and air links connecting each one. You can easily take in a number of the islands all on the same trip, with air connections taking no more than 45 minutes and ferry transfers up to three hours.

Canary Islands highlights

Head to the beach

Beaches, beaches and more beaches, these islands have them in abundance, all of them uniquely forged by the surrounding natural elements. Playa La Francesa, Lanzarote boasts temperate waters and long swathes of white sand. Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria, both join at the tip and have stunning beauty as well as promenades lined with restaurants. And Playa Jardin, Tenerife is covered in grey volcanic sand that eventually disappears into a fine bathing area protected by a breakwater.

Admire the volcanic beauty of Lanzarote

Lanzarote's serene landscape was forged out of intense volcanic activity thousands of years ago and the result today is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. Rugged rock formations ascend out of vast craters and extensive lava fields to create a picture you’d probably expect to find on Mars. The best place to take in Lanzarote’s raw beauty is the Timanfaya National Park, where you can witness the impressive Fire Mountains as well as undertake a number of hikes through the otherworldly terrain. The Termesara Route is a popular favourite that takes in the sights of a lava field, lava tunnels and the Cracked Mountain.

Parque Nacional del Teide

The domineering El Teide cuts an impressive figure, standing tall over the skyline of Tenerife. This gargantuan landform is the largest mountain in all of Spain and is surrounded by a vast national park. Simply a must visit, this imposing mountain stretches 3,718 m into the air, and provides truly awesome views of the surrounding countryside, ocean and beyond. With so many different trails to follow, you could quite easily walk all day and not see all there is to take in within the park. However, the best trek of them all involves heading up El Teide, so it might be wise to pack your walking boots and head off on a volcanic adventure.

Gastronomic delights

The Canary Islands have a delightful style of food which consists of traditional Spanish and Portuguese dishes that have been influenced by nearby Africa and Latin America. Papas arrugadas are a must try on the islands. Literally meaning ‘wrinkled potatoes’, these bite-sized treats are eaten with their skin on and dipped in a variety of tasty sauces known as ‘mojos’.

Of course, being a network of islands, a large part of the cuisine on the Canary Islands consists of fish, and the quality is incredible. Fresh fish dishes are centred around local species which include parrot fish, bream, sea bass, tuna and a variety of snappers.

The surrounding area

Being an archipelago of seven islands, there’s plenty to explore across the Canaries. Big tourist centres Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura provide you with sun, sea, sand and intriguing colonial architecture, whereas El Hierro and La Palma are much more reserved and relaxed. Depending on the type of holiday you are after, it is wise to plan out an itinerary beforehand, so you can decide which islands you’d like to stay on and explore. North-east Africa is located to the west of the islands, with the Western Sahara and Morocco being the closest on the continent

Holiday Information

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